How to Set Career Development Goals
Having a successful career can be a tricky process. It doesn’t just involve getting the right job, but also making sure you have good career development goals in place so you can stay on track to achieving your long-term ambitions. Here are some helpful tips to get you started.
1. Identify Your Goals
The first step towards setting career development goals is to identify what you want to achieve. Ask yourself questions, such as:
- What do I want to achieve in my career?
- Where do I see myself in five years?
- What skills do I need to develop?
- What type of position do I want to have?
By understanding what you want to achieve in your career, you’ll be able to come up with more focused career development goals.
2. Set Solid Objectives
Once you’ve identified your career goals, it’s time to develop concrete objectives to help you reach them. It’s important to set SMART goals, which stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time based. For example:
- I want to become a department supervisor within the next 18 months.
- I want to be promoted to a senior-level position within five years.
- I want to have a more in-depth understanding of a certain technology within the next six months.
Create several goals, so you have a range of objectives to work towards.
3. Create a Career Development Plan
Once you’ve identified and set your goals, it’s time to start the actual process of developing your career. Begin by creating a career development plan, and start by breaking down your goals into smaller, more achievable tasks. This helps to make the process of advancement more manageable, as well as helping to motivate you along the way.
4. Track Your Progress
As you work to achieve your career development goals, it’s important to keep track of the progress you’re making. This can be done in several ways, such as keeping a record of your tasks, noting down any new skills you’ve acquired, or recording results from various projects you’ve worked on.
These notes will not only help you to stay motivated, they will also give you a record of your successes when it comes to applying for future positions.
5. Leverage Your Network
Networking is an important part of developing your career. Meeting other professionals in your field, and making new contacts, can often open up new opportunities.
Your network can also be a great source of advice, feedback and encouragement when it comes to pursuing and achieving your goals.
6. Maintain a Positive Mindset
Finally, maintaining a positive outlook is essential when it comes to achieving your career goals. Setbacks are inevitable, but being able to stay positive, motivated and focused can help to ensure that you stay on track to achieving your ambitions.
Setting career development goals can be a daunting process. However, with a little bit of planning, determination, and the right attitude, you can be towards taking your career to the next level. Good luck!
